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Trip planner saying I need LESS days than I do

  • February 12, 2026
  • 4 replies
  • 17 views
R

I'm planning a trip to France, and haven't bought a One Country Pass yet.

I have added many places on different calendar days to the Trip planner, however it says I only need a 4-day pass. I see the number of days increasing but sometimes it doesn't.  Am I missing something about the rules of what counts as a day, or is the Trip planner tripping? 

I understand it says “Passes from USD $xxx,” but if it shows 4 travel days, that means a 4-day pass is valid, correct?

 

1 13/4 paris - str
2 14/4 str - colmar
  14/4 colmar - str
3 15/4 str - paris
  15/4 paris - tours
4 16/04  tours - Amboise
  16/04 Amboise - tours
5 17/04 Tours - Chenoceaux
  17/04 Chenoceaux - Tours
6 18/4 tours - paris

 

 

 

 

 

Best answer by AnnaB

Don't trust the Trip planner, but do your own calculation. Every day (00.00-23.59) when you board a train is a travel day.

4 replies

A
Railly clever
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  • AnnaB
  • Railly clever
  • Answer
  • February 12, 2026

Don't trust the Trip planner, but do your own calculation. Every day (00.00-23.59) when you board a train is a travel day.

Please note that I don't work for Interrail/Eurail and that I don't reply to personal messages.
R
  • roberto_sc
  • Author
  • Rail rookie
  • February 12, 2026

Thank you for your answer. I was afraid that would be the case :(

With the 2nd class 6-day pass for 2 adults and 1 child at €82.33 + €30 (seat reservation) = €112.33 per trip day, I fail to see how the Eurail pass can ever be a good business.

 

R
Railmaster
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  • rvdborgt
  • Railmaster
  • February 12, 2026

Whether a pass is worth it depends on how much flexibility you need (cheap advance TGV tickets can often not be changed or refunded) and how far you're travelling. You could also look into using a pass for the days with longer journeys and regular tickets for days with just short hops.

Your journeys on days 4 and 5, and probably also day 2 are not very far, so a 3-day or 4-day pass with some regular tickets could be cheaper overall. Check regular fares on www.sncf-connect.com.

For a day trip Strasbourg-Colmar, you can use the many regional trains with a €45 group ticket (Alsa+ Groupe Journée).

For the day trips to Amboise and Chenonceaux, you can use a €45 2-day regional pass (Pass Rémi Découverte).

Please ask questions in the community and not via a private message. That's the quickest way to get a response. I don't work for Eurail/Interrail.
M
Full steam ahead
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  • Marvin Heer
  • Full steam ahead
  • February 12, 2026

Thank you for your answer. I was afraid that would be the case :(

With the 2nd class 6-day pass for 2 adults and 1 child at €82.33 + €30 (seat reservation) = €112.33 per trip day, I fail to see how the Eurail pass can ever be a good business.

 

France is not the best country to travel with an Eurail Pass because of the mandatory reservations for highspeed trains. But yes the shorter passes are often not your cheapest option if you also need mandatory reservations. ( Unless you travel on expensive routes or need the flexibility they offer in places without mandatory reservations.)

I speak german 🇩🇪, english 🇬🇧, and i understand a bit of french
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